Ex-NFL wideout Robert Meachem jailed for not paying $400K in child support, alimony
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sep 8, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem against the Atlanta Falcons during a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Former NFL wide receiver Robert Meachem was sentenced to 30 days in jail after failing to pay nearly $400,000 in alimony and child support. Meachem began serving that sentence Monday.
Meachem could be released earlier if he pays his ex-wife, Andrea Rhodes, $100,000, but barring that, he will remain in jail until March 15, according to court documents obtained by the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Meachem, who made more than $20 million during his eight-year career, and Rhodes divorced in November 2015, according to court records. He was ordered to pay $20,000 a month in spousal and child support for the couple's two children, but attorneys for Rhodes asked the court last year to hold Meachem in contempt for failing to make payments.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The 32-year-old former wideout played with the Saints for six of his seven years in the NFL, spending 2012 with the Chargers. A first-round pick in 2007, Meachem helped the Saints win the Super Bowl in 2009. He played his final year in the league in 2014, finishing with 178 catches for 2,914 yards and 29 total touchdowns.